Dr. James Orbinski in Oslo, Norway, accepting the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières. © 1999 Sandra Aslaksen

In 1999, MSF was awarded the international Nobel Peace Prize, "in recognition of the organization's pioneering humanitarian work on several continents." The award honored the work of MSF relief workers who bring medical assistance to more than 80 countries — over 20 of which are in conflict.

The 1999 Nobel Lecture, our acceptance speech, was delivered in Oslo, Norway, on December 10 by Dr. James Orbinski (Canada), President, MSF International Council. The ceremony was widely broadcast on television stations throughout the world and, for those in distant places, there was also a live Internet broadcast at NobelChannel.com. This marked the first time a Nobel speech had been broadcast over the internet.

The proceeds from the Nobel Peace Prize have been by MSF to establish a Neglected Disease Fund. The fund is designed to support pilot projects world-wide that facilitate clinical development, production, procurement and distribution of Neglected Disease treatments.